Comments on Acts 13:48

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48 (KJV)

This passage is one of the most forthright declarations of predestination in the New Testament. What is particularly noteworthy about this text is that occurs in a historical narrative, not a theological Epistle. It is simply Luke's commentary on the event. As far as I can tell, this is an even stronger affirmation of the doctrine, because it shows the underlying assumption in the author's mind. When a biblical author takes something for granted, we should perk up and take notice. Incidentally, the only authors or commentators who have ever denied the obvious reference to Predestination are raving Arminians. Wesley's notes on this passage are an outrage.

I submit a few examples of more solid theological exposition.

Geneva Bible notes Acts 13.48

Ac 13:48

13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were {t} ordained to eternal life believed.

(t) Therefore either all were not appointed to everlasting life, or either all believed, but because all did not believe, it follows that certain ones were ordained: and therefore God did not only foreknow, but also foreordained, that neither faith nor the effects of faith should be the cause of his ordaining, or appointment, but his ordaining the cause of faith.

Matthew Henry on Acts 13.48

(1.) Those believed to whom God gave grace to believe, whom by a secret and mighty operation he brought into subjection to the gospel of Christ, and made willing in the day of his power. Those came to Christ whom the Father drew, and to whom the Spirit made the gospel call effectual. It is called the faith of the operation of God (Col. ii. 12), and is said to be wrought by the same power that raised up Christ, Eph. i. 19, 20.

(2.) God gave this grace to believe to all those among them who were ordained to eternal life (for whom he had predestinated, them he also called, Rom. viii. 30); or, as many as were disposed to eternal life, as many as had a concern about their eternal state, and aimed to make sure of eternal life, believed in Christ, in whom God hath treasured up that life (1 John v. 11), and who is the only way to it; and it was the grace of God that wrought it in them.

Jameson, Fausset and Brown on Acts 13:48

a very remarkable statement, which cannot, without force, be interpreted of anything lower than this, that a divine ordination to eternal life is the cause, not the effect, of any man's believing.